doll

noun

ˈdäl 

ˈdȯl

1

: a small-scale figure of a human being used especially as a child's plaything

2

a(1)

: a pretty but often empty-headed young woman

(2)

: woman

b

: darling, sweetheart

c

: an attractive person

dollish

ˈdä-lish 

ˈdȯ-

adjective

dollishly adverb

dollishness noun

Synonyms

• action figure
• dolly
• poppet [Midland]
• puppet

Examples of doll in a Sentence

My aunt collects porcelain dolls.

there was a row of dolls along the shelf in the bedroom

Recent Examples on the Web

One of those promotions – bobbleheads of the stars – has become so popular that prices rise and fans line up for hours hoping to get inside before the supply of dolls disappears. —Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025

Television The creators of ‘Tiny Shoulders: Rethinking Barbie’ on remaking America’s doll just before #MeToo April 27, 2018 Nevins took a look at NFL players at the end of their careers. —Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2025

Instead of drawing eyes on the fortune-telling Daruma, visitors ask a question before selecting a doll. —Rebecca Cairns, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025

Every detail was carefully crafted and considered as the doll possesses many attributes to the Akron, Oh., athlete’s life story. —Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 8 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably from Doll, nickname for Dorothy

First Known Use

circa 1700, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing doll

• Barbie doll
• bobblehead doll
• doll's house
• doll up
• rag doll

Rhymes for doll

• ahl
• all
• aul
• bawl
• brawl
• call
• caul
• crawl
• dol
• drawl
• fall
• gall

Kids Definition

doll

noun

ˈdäl 

ˈdȯl

1

: a small figure of a human being used especially as a child's plaything

2

a

: a pretty young woman

b

: an attractive person